WITHIN TEMPTATION - ANGELS

I think I'm in love with a new band called "Within Temptation". Check out this video! Oh my gosh, her voice is lovely and the strong music is heart-felt.

So, now that Evanescence is already old news, Within Temptation is in... for me la.

DESIDERIA & THE REBEL PRINCE

I watched this movie when I was a kid, on TV2. That time, this Italian film was dubbed into English. Basically, it's the tale of a princess who defies her cruel warlord-father and sets free a rebel prince. She falls in love with him and runs to his kingdom when her father decrees she marry a black-hearted knight.

When she does arrive at his kingdom, the people there recognize her as the enemy-king's precious daughter and bring her to the rebel prince. But the prince remembers her kindness when he was a prisoner and has grown to love her.

Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. In comes Desideria's sister (adopted sister, actually. The evil-king found her among wolves and thought, "this child must be strong & powerful to live among wolves!")

Raised by wolves, this sister is a sinister, scheming witch. She steals the rebel prince away from Desideria by casting a enchantment, that led the rebel prince to fight in a tournament for the evil sis' hand in marriage.

Desideria now has to disguise herself as a red knight, and ends up fighting the rebel prince in the tournament. She wins but is unable to kill her beloved. She runs away, ashamed. Meanwhile, the rebel prince (still under the enchantment) takes the evil sister to the altar and they almost get hitched... when Desideria marches in and stop the unholy union.

The evil sis is so mad, she brings a strom into the building. But in the end, her pride becomes her self-destruction and as she lies at the brink of death, she asks for Desideria's forgiveness. After all, they did grow up as sisters.

With her death, the rebel prince is free from the enchanment and he sees how much Desideria has done for the love of him. Feeling unworthy, he walks away to find himself. Later, he walks back to Desideria's arms, despite knowing he will face death because he is still in the evil king's kingdom.

It all ends happily ever after though. The evil king sees the error of his ways (only in movies!) and offers the rebel prince the unity of both kingdoms, and his daughter in marriage. As cliche as this story goes, I still love the storyline! I'd give anything to watch this movie again.

FYI, this movie was made from the same people that brought about those Fantaghiro movies a.k.a The Cave Of The Golden Rose.

MUSINGS

Allegorie de soie by Salvador Dali

The Tree of Life - Stoclet Frieze by Gustav Klimt

FASTING LAMENTS

I used to hate the fasting season... the month of Ramadhan, that is. Everysince Standard One, kids use to tease me, "Eeeeee... Tak Puasa!!". Last year was probably the worst!

"Cik, kami nak tengok IC dulu!" I HATE these annoying discriminating remarks! Sure, it's not such a big deal... but after years of one person standing against ten, I have had ENOUGH.

Yeah, just because my looks closely resembles a Malay. Malays are (stereotypically-thought) inevitably Muslims.

So, one look at me and people think I'm a Muslim. One spoken word would make them think twice, though. My spoken Malay does not flow naturally. I think before I speak. And I speak the words taught at school... those flowery phrases etc. Not the natural fast-accent.

I can't eat when I want to during the day... and I have to eat in a close environment, when I do. It's like, to eat is to harbour a dark deep secret!

Oooooo scary!

And then there's those daily news reports on people who don't fast that get caught by the Jabatan Islam authorities. It's like not fasting is a serious crime!!

Seriously! The people who get caught were running helter-skelter into the bushes, like drug addicts! Off course, I think they were drug addicts.

And talking about eating, everyday there's HUGE promotions of buffet, buffet and hotel buffet. Crap! Just thinking about this is making me hungry. Anyway, how's a girl suppose to watch what she eat when she watching the buffet promos every single day of Ramadhan?!

But like I said, I used to hate the fasting season.

Ever since I begin working, the close-knit environment of diverse cultures has taught me a lot of things. Things like patience, peserverance, tolaration, respect, when and when not to suck up to, back-stabers, and real genuine friends.

As colleagues, my Muslim friends especially the elder ones, has shown me how fasting is a discipline. A real discipline of staying strong, no complains and remain calm. Sure, they get tired at the end of the day, but they don't complain.

They invite me to break fast with them. We enjoy the night with stories, humours and family tides. They give thanks for the day, enjoy the simple night's feast, and prepare for another day of fasting. It's people like these that makes religion an awesome admirable inspiration.

So, this Ramadhan I get to be in charge of scouting... where shall we dine?

Selamat Berpuasa, saudara-saudari Muslimin. Dua minggu lagi Raya!!

LIP-SINGING : LESSON 2

My two favourite lip-singers are back, to show us how it's done. Enjoy!

NIGHT AT A CONCERTO

Decided to do something "cultured" for a change. So, I decided to watch the Prague Simfonia Orchestra, playing on Sept 8th at the Plenenary Hall, KL Convention Centre.

For those very-kedekut-ticket, I got the atas sekali! seat... but comfortable la! But even though the Charity-Benefit Concert was attended by HRH The Agung and Queen... the turn out was actually poor. I'm guessing it was due to the poor publicity.

Picture quality from handphone camera is REALLY bad!

So, after the intermission, everyone on the top floor were welcomed to seat at those expensive seats!! Oh my gosh, it was so worth it! First, you get to listen to a world-class symphony orchestra. Next, you get your seats upgraded! AND you listen to your favourite Aria - O Mio Babbino sung so beautifully!

In the middle, can take video recording, some more! My view was wayyyy better than this.

The two-hour event was mesmerizing and exciting. I especially loved the blend of so many musical instruments... that when combined, made heart-gripping melodies! It's pure wonder!!

But towards the end, I was almost falling asleep. The music was alluring and I felt like a baby, being put to slumber with the violins playing... just for me. I couldn't help feeling tired; that morning, I travelled to Seremban and back to help at the Parish's Children's Drama Club. And that same evening, I attended Mass in KL. It was a whole day of travel, sights and sounds.

Straight from KLCC, took the cab home. Thank God, it was an honest cabby! And thank God for the eventful day!

FIREWORKS

There's nothing more stunning than a fireworks display on a clear night. These were taken at the recent International Fireworks Competition at Putrajaya. I hope they have these competitions every year! Then, one day, I'll go watch it live and sit on the grass by the lake, under the showers of sparks.

Thanks to Danny, for the photos (you're still annoying!)

GONE YET IMMORTAL

The world has lost a great voice today. Internationally-renowned tenor, Signor Luciano Pavarotti passed away at the age of 71. He will be missed, but his voice will always stay immortalised.

Nessun Dorma

Rest in peace, big fella. There will be none like you.

MERRY GO ROUND

I'm dreaming of a Merry-Go-Round... like little children used to play.

My mind must be bored.

I FINALLY get free time during office hours, and yet... I'm bored. What a dilemma! Yeah, right!

ALMOST THERE

The entire nation is getting all hyped about the 50th Independence Day celebration. And KL has to be the most anticipating city!

For the past three mornings, we hear the helicopters, planes and fighter jets hoverring over our office building... in beautiful aerial choreography. Then, there's Soffii and Haliza from our division, coming to work after rehearsals... in their 1950's army unform. Funny!

Every building has giantic posters of the country's leaders, past and present. Funny, though... there's nothing mention about the people? Leaders may lead. But it is in the people that they are consented to be our leaders.

So much said and done, we still have long way ahead to go. There's so much left to do, and we, the lucky ones, have the obligations to help others achieve a sense of accomplishment: basic needs fulfillment.

I love this country. And I can tolerate the political hullaballooos that arises each time. This is my home, my country. And truthfully, I wouldn't trade it for anywhere.

So, Happy 50th Birthday, Malaysia!

PHAROAH, PHAROAH

I just watched an AMAZING musical show called Joseph and The Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat! Oh my gosh, simply superb and funny! Donny Osmond is so dreammmmmmyyy. Mmmmmm...

This show isn't new, really. I think it begun way back in the early 90's. Thanks to the wonders of Internet, I finally got a copy of the show! Yayyyy!

Here's one of my favourite scenes. Pharoah is asking Joseph, the meaning of his crazy dream.

ALONE IN THE CITY

I live in KL, the most happening city in this country. Yet here I am, lonely and bored on a Sunday!

Arrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhh.... this is stupid! I really need a life.

Okay, time to stop whinning, Jen.

THE INVASION

My life in my new home was blissfully perfect... until she arrived.

My brother's new girlfriend. She's hardworking, she's pleasant... and my family adores her!

My dad allowed her to live with us, after being persuaded by my brother, Jerrard.

And my mum wants to do anything for her. Bought her pots and pans and a gas stove for the kitchen. Now that my brother gives her his full attention, I'm feeling left behind.

Worse still, she's running the entire household here. All food is cooked her way. All chores are done on her routines. I don't have any say in these matter... except in paying the bills.

It's been only one month, since she arrived. But I can't take it. I want my old life back!! I don't even know if I can face a lifetime of her presence... seriously!

My mum is HOPING that she's THE ONE for Jerrard. "Isn't CJ just perfect for your brother?!" my mum goes! Me thinks that there's the entire plans of the wedding bells, ceremony and dinner planned up in her mind.

Maybe I'm selfish... maybe I'm just jealous coz I'm lonely. I admit she's "friendly" just coz I'm his sister. I admit she makes my mum happy. She's "SO PERFECT" that just suddenly, she's part of the family picture!

Is anyone remembering that I'm still alive?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MUM!

Happy 52nd Birthday, mummy dearest! I love you always!!

A DIFFERENT LIGHT

My FIRST succussful Photoshop image!

I looked out at the sky, this morning, while I was locking my front door. The clouds were amazingly clear and beautiful, as the sun rose. I KNEW it would be a beautiful day.

The top half is real, but the bottom half has been photoshoped. In reality, the bottom of the pictures would be the parking spaces. That explains why there's a lamp-post by the so-called "lake". My brother actually thought the lake was real!! Until i told him the picture was taken from our balcony.

Yayyyy! It fooled one person.

A HUGE thanks goes to my cousin, Gwendoline, for the PS coaching.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

As much as i *love* my job, it doesn't take a lot to show a little appreciation, right? So, why oh why can't my name be correctly spelt? Shirley Lee probably was *so* busy typing that she didn't notice the error. And she did, she went, "Oh screw you!". I'm talking about her typing skills, by the way.

It's my name, people! Show some respect, please!

KENAPA AKU LETIH KERJA

Selama beberapa tahun aku telah merungut kerana kurang tidur dan terlalubanyak tekanan dalam hidup, akan tetapi sekarang kini aku tahu kenapa ianya berlaku (the real reason) :

Aku keletihan kerana terlebih kerja... nak tau kenapa? Di bawah ini aku akantunjukkan kenapa aku mempunyai beban kerja yang lebih dan ianya adalah benardan bukan rekaan aku.

Populasi penduduk sekarang adalah 23 juta orang. 1.7 juta darinya sudah bersara. Jadi tinggal 21.3 juta orang. 1.3 juta pula adalah golongan kanak2 bawah 6 tahun. Jadi tinggal 20 juta orang. Dari 20 juta ini, 7 juta masih belajar (tadika, sekolah, kolej,Universiti dll). Jadi tinggal 13 juta orang yang boleh buat kerja.

Dari 13 juta ini, 5 juta orang adalah pekerja kerajaan yang kebanyakan pergikerja tapi tak buat kerja. Jadi tinggal 8 juta orang yang boleh buat kerja. Tolak 3 juta orang yang duduk dalam hutan (tentera darat) pasal diorang nie nak kerja macam mana... tinggal dalam hutan.Dah tinggal 5 juta orang yang boleh buat kerja....

Dari jumlah itu, tolak 2.7 juta orang yang menganggur dan tak der kerja, surirumah, pekerja yang kena VSS, orang2 tua, fresh university student, kenabuang kerja dll). Tinggallah 2.3 juta orang yang boleh buat kerja.

Dari jumlah ini, sebanyak 1,215,512 orang dilaporkan sakit dan kini berada di dalam hospital di seluruh (tak kiralah hospital swasta ke atau hospital kerajaan dan ini termasuklah hospital gila). Dah tinggal 1,084,488 orang yang boleh buat kerja....

Sekarang ini mengikut bancian terkini, terdapat 1,084,486 orang di dalampenjara dan Pusat Serenti di seluruh negara. Jadi dah tinggal 2 orang yang boleh buat kerja...

Dan 2 orang itu adalah engkau dan aku...Dari dua orang ini... engkau SEKARANG INI masih duduk depan komputer, main internet, main games, reading jokes, membaca email, main chat dan tak buat kerja langsung... jadi tinggallah Aku sorang yang buat kerja... Mana aku tak letih!!

Jadi sedarlah skit.... dahhhh..!!! pi buat kerja!!!

P/S : Semua statistik di atas boleh dirujuk kesahihannya di Pusat2Bancian, Kementerian Kesihatan, Kementerian Pertahanan, Jabatan Tenaga Raya,Kementerian Pendidikan dan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat.

Takkan nak rujuk itu pun nak kena suruh aku buat jugak.

DREAMS OF ITALY

Let's see the wonders of beautiful Italy. We'll travel with our eyes and our hearts... and not a penny more from our pockets!

A little fact on why Rome is the true city of love : Roma is Amor(e) spelt backwards. Pat, if there was anyone I'd travel with, it'll only be you!

REACHING OUT

Whenever I'm alone in the Copy Rooom at the office, this is what I like to do. Yeah, introducing my left palm! This is me reaching out to you... waving hello!

I wish it was 'waving'.

KIDNAPPING A CHILD

Ever tried kidnapping a kid, only to return the child two hours later? I did!

Hahah, only kidding! Get the pun?!

Last Saturday, I went to help out at the parish's children's drama club. Unfortunately after waiting for 30 minutes together with a handful of kids, we were finally notified that today's session was cancelled. Apparently SOMEONE forgot to mention to some of the children. Poor things! They were *so* looking forward to it!

So, I was already in town and it was wayyy to early to head back home. The LAST thing I wanted to to was arrive home and see my mum's ' i-told-you-so ' expression. It was then that I spotted this nine-year old lass. She knew me, off course, as one of the teachers' assistant.

"Wanna take a short walk around here? I'm buying some sundry for my mum" I ask her nicely. And I mean, nicely! She gave that ten-second thoughtful look, and went, "Okay!"

Kids, this is the exact scenario that you should watch out for. NEVER follow a stranger, even is he/she is someone you've seen before.

So, we went just to the next block from the church premises. My mum send me on errand to get a bag of peanuts. "I have the sudden urge for kacang !" says she. "Only buy if less than RM 8.00" she continues. Okay mum! After getting the bag of nuts and a couple of lollipops, (the kacang was RM 7.50 for 900g, if you care to know), I asked her about her ride home.

"Grandfather is currently in a meeting in the church hall. He only finishes at 1.00pm," said Michelle, the nine-year old I kidnapped. It was only past 11.00am, and I felt the girl should not have to wait until 1.00pm. For crying out loud, there was hardly anyone around the parish premises, if it weren't for the meeting in the hall upstairs.

And suddenly, I felt responsible for her. "Would you like to walk around the mall?" Gladly, she agreed. I've never been a child-friendly person. But attending and assisting the children's drama club nowdays, has changed me dramatically. (Okay, great! Another pun!)

We walked to the nearest mall, and looked around at stationaries, gifts, books and CDs. For a nine-year old, Michelle really chatted the time away. At least she was talkative! That didn't leave me to do all the talking. Before leaving the mall, we went to the entertainment arcade.

I introduced her to the dance machine. Ahhh... that dance machine! Hahahah... it was such a funny sight! Two amateurs trying their best to keep up with the beats. We started by playing one against one, but she was doing REALLY bad. I then abandoned my side and helped her danced on her side of the machine. Together, we rocked!

We used the rest of the arcade tokens on those Toy-Picking-Claw and Hit-The-Weasel machines. It was so much fun playing these with a kid. Especially when you're a grown up.

At a quarter to 1.00, I walked with her back to the churchyard but my mind was already spinning with thoughts of her worried grandfather. We didn't leave anyone a message that she was with me. Upon arriving, we discovered that her grandad's meeting was still in progress... and no one had noticed she was gone!

So much for the grand scheme of child abduction!